FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free programs in March

New clubs, vacation planning, author talk, open house, more

The Newport News Public Library System presents a variety of programs for adults, teens and children free during March 2011.

Games On! Board, Card and Video Games Galore For Youth
All board game and video game players ages 6-18 can play the new card games Monopoly, Slam and Pictureka with other players, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, at Pearl Bailey Library. Don't miss this chance to meet other players the first Tuesday of each month. New members are always welcome. No registration required.
Math Blast with Mr. Charles
Students ages 12-18 and adult students can get free homework help in math from Mr. Charles E. Brown, math instructor at Enterprise Academy, 4-6 p.m., March 1,8,15, 22, 29, at Pearl Bailey Library. Sessions are 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. Students are encouraged to bring their math books and/or homework assignment sheets. Adults studying for GED Math are also welcomed to attend. No registration required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss: A Seussabration!
Children ages 4-10 and their parents can celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, 11 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, March 2, at Main Street Library. Kenya the Klown will make fantastical balloon creatures for each child, such as a Foona-Lagoona Baboona, a Glotz or a North-Going Zax. The Seussabration also includes reading from Dr. Seuss books and cupcakes. Registration is required and begins Feb. 16 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Reach For Your Dreams: Planning a Dream Vacation
LaDonna Easley Allen with Warwick Travel Service will instruct adults in how to successfully plan a safe and worry-free dream vacation, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, March 5, at Main Street Library. Included will be steps to take in planning and scheduling for groups and individuals, what to do before leaving, safety precautions while traveling and more. This program is part of “Reach For Your Dreams,” a series of free how-to programs for adults presented by the Newport News Public Library System throughout 2011. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Paws to Read
Children ages 6 to 10 build their confidence by reading out loud to trained therapy dogs, 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Grissom Library in Newport News. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. Dogs are accompanied by certified trainers. Paws to Read is normally held on the first Saturday of each month, excluding holidays. No registration is required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

Learning on Laptops for Youth: Online Databases
Youth ages 8-11 will learn basic skills using free online research databases such as Find it Virginia, Mango Languages and more, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, at Pearl Bailey Library in Newport News. These classes will be held the second Tuesday of each month through May 2011. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Learning on Laptops for Teens: Do-It-Yourself Graduation Announcements
Graduating high school seniors can learn how to design and create their own colorful, economical, flat graduation announcement card using pictures and text, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, at Pearl Bailey Library. All participants should bring two to three personal or cap and gown black & white photos to be scanned and copied onto a USB drive. Photos must be public domain and not copyright protected. Registration is required and begins Feb. 22 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Teen Advisory Committee at Pearl Bailey Library
Teens ages 12-18 can meet to help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library programs and services. The group meets 5-6:30 p.m., the second Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, March 9. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Learning on Laptops: Drop In and Learn Computer Skills
Students ages 8-17 can “drop in and learn” basic computing skills, 3-5 p.m., Thursdays, March 10 and 24, at Main Street Library in Newport News. Using the Library’s laptop computers, students can choose from a list of skills that they can learn in a 15-30 minute lesson, one on one, with a knowledgeable youth services staff person. Students can choose from skills such as how to cut, copy and paste; how to safely save documents; how to format documents in Microsoft Word; or Internet searching tips and tricks. Students need a Library card in good standing if the lesson includes Internet searching tips and tricks. After the lesson, students may take a bookmark that reinforces the skills. Drop in and Learn Computer Skills will be held the second and fourth Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, and no registration is required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Mix and Mash at Grissom Library
Teens ages 12-18 can celebrate Teen Tech Week by competing in a Wii Gaming Tournament and explore teen-based websites for creating and sharing digital content such as art, poetry, music and book reviews, 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, March 10, at Grissom Library. One tournament winner will receive a prize and be named “Ultimate Gamer.” Registration is required and begins Feb. 24 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Using Online Genealogy Databases
Patrons of all ages can learn how to access and use online genealogy databases, 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, March 10, at Main Street Library. Included are Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest Online, the online databases offered by the Newport News Public Library System through the Virginiana Room. No registration required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Tuesday Afterschool Make and Take Craft
Children ages 5-11 can make a craft to take home, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, at Pearl Bailey Library. The craft program will be held the third Tuesday of each month, excluding holidays. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

FKO Youth Advisory Committee
Children ages 6-11 can meet to help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library programs and services, as well as book purchases. The group meets 4:30-5:15 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, March 16. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Anime and Manga Club
Teens ages 12-18 can enjoy Anime screenings and Manga discussions in this new club at Pearl Bailey Library. The new club will meet 4:30-5:30 p.m., Friday, March 18, April 15 and May 13, at Pearl Bailey Library. No registration is required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Standing on the Precipice of Change: Race, Slavery and Civil War in Hampton Roads, Virginia
Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, associate professor of history at Norfolk State University and noted speaker and author, will discuss her new book, “An African American History of the Civil War in Hampton Roads,” and show photos, 2-3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 19, at Main Street Library in Newport News. She will also sell copies of her books. No registration required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Lego party
Children ages 6 -11 can use Lego building blocks provided by the Library to build a creation based on the theme of the day, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, March 19, at Grissom Library. Creations may be displayed in the children's area. Registration is required and begins March 5 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Library Open House for Homeschoolers
Homeschoolers are invited to learn about the new Main Street Homeschooling Center during an Open House, 3-5 p.m., Monday, March 21, at Main Street Library in Newport News. The center is a collection of books and magazines especially for the educator in the homeschooling household. Learn about free resources, connect and network with other local homeschooling families and provide suggestions to Library staff on how best to serve the homeschooling community. Registration is required and begins March 7 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club
Teens ages 12-18 meet to discuss "Schooled," a Bluford series book, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, at Pearl Bailey Library in Newport News. The Urban Lit Book Club will meet the fourth Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays. New members are always welcome. Registration is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Teen Advisory Committee at Grissom Library
Teens ages 12-18 who want to be more involved in the Library and the services it provides to teens, who want to provide input about the Library’s teen programs and who need Community Service hours are encouraged to join the new Teen Advisory Committee at Grissom Library. The committee will meet 4-5 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at Grissom Library. The first meeting is Thursday, March 24. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Loosely Knit Group
Everyone is welcome to join the Loosely Knit Group, which meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. every Thursday, excluding holidays, at Grissom Library. Anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting, or any craft is welcome, and no registration is required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

All Tied Up: Bailey Knit & Stitch Group
Adults are welcome to join the All Tied Up Group, which meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. Participants can socialize with others while learning a new skill or enhance their current skills. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Computer classes
Free adult computer classes are offered at Grissom, Main Street and Pearl Bailey Libraries in Newport News on an ongoing basis covering various topics, including computer and Internet basics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, resume writing and more. Registration begins March 1 for April classes. Search for classes and register at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

Spring Storytime Session
The Spring Storytime schedule runs March 14-April 23. Registration is required and begins Feb. 28 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective Library.

Grissom Library
• Babygarten for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver)
Mondays at 10 a.m., March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., March 15, 22, 29; April 5, 12, 19
• Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)
Wednesdays at 11 a.m., March 16, 23, 20; April 6, 13, 20

Pearl Bailey Library
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Mondays at 10 a.m., March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18
Super Saturday (For ages 2½ to 11 with family members)
Saturdays at 1 p.m., March 12, 26; April 9

Main Street Library
• Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)
Tuesdays at 10 a.m., March 15, 22, 29; April 5, 12, 19
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., March 15, 22, 29; April 5, 12, 19
• Wee Ones Storytime for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver))
second and fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m., March 10, 24; April 14, 28

Register for all programs online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective Library:

• Grissom Library, 366 DeShazor Drive, Newport News, VA 23608, 757-369-3190
• Main Street Library, Bookmobile, 110 Main Street, Newport News, VA 23601, 757-591-4858
• Pearl Bailey Library, 2510 Wickham Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-8677
• West Avenue Library, 2907 West Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-247-8505
• Public Law Library, 2501 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607, 757-926-8678

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